I’ve a particular reference to my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
It was my first travel rewards card, and I proudly used its rewards to make my first-ever transferable factors redemption in 2023 — reserving a cushty Hyatt Home in Atlanta by transferring my Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt. From there, I used to be hooked.
The Sapphire Most popular’s premium sibling, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), has been on my radar since Chase eased eligibility requirements to hold each Sapphire playing cards on the similar time. The cardboard’s beloved versatile journey credit score and splendid airport lounge entry have particularly caught my eye.
Now, with the Sapphire Reserve’s excellent bonus, providing 150,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening, and strong ongoing worth, I’m prepared so as to add a second Sapphire to my pockets.
This is a deeper dive into what’s driving my resolution.
Why I am eligible for the Sapphire Reserve
As I discussed earlier, I grew to become eligible for the Sapphire Reserve after Chase loosened restrictions on holding a number of Sapphire playing cards. I’ve by no means needed to half with the easy, helpful ongoing advantages of my Sapphire Preferred, and now I haven’t got to if I wish to benefit from the Sapphire Reserve as properly.
It’s because I’ve by no means held the Sapphire Reserve or earned its bonus. I’ve solely performed so with the Sapphire Most popular. If I had beforehand held the Sapphire Reserve, I would not be eligible.
I am additionally below Chase’s 5/24 rule proper now, which implies I’ve opened fewer than 5 new private playing cards throughout all issuers within the final 24 months. That is necessary to be accredited for any Chase card — not simply the Sapphire Reserve.
Now that I’ve established my eligibility, let’s dive into the 4 key causes I’m excited to develop into a Sapphire Reserve cardholder.
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Associated: Am I eligible for the Chase Sapphire Reserve’s bonus?
Assertion credit I will simply use
With the Sapphire Reserve‘s steep $795 annual price, you will need to me that I can offset that on an ongoing foundation.
Whereas there is a long list of statement credits with the cardboard, three stand out to me specifically.
Annual journey credit score
The Sapphire Reserve’s $300 annual travel credit is among the finest perks on the market. It is versatile, applies to many several types of purchases, and is utilized mechanically.
These are some examples of what I can use this credit score for:
- Airways
- Buses
- Campgrounds
- Automobile rental businesses
- Cruise traces
- Low cost journey websites
- Ferries
- Lodges
- Limousines
- Motels
- Parking tons and garages
- Passenger trains
- Taxis
- Timeshares
- Toll bridges and highways
- Journey businesses
An necessary consideration is that you simply will not earn factors on journey expenses which are offset by the $300 credit score. Nonetheless, you’ll begin incomes factors on journey purchases as quickly as you utilize the total credit score.
TPG’s partnerships and publication editor, Emily Thompson, discovered this credit score to be helpful when she moved throughout the nation earlier this 12 months. The power to make use of it at any resort throughout the street journey was a sport changer.
The Edit credit
I am unable to wait to have access to The Edit, Chase’s curated choice of luxurious accommodations, the place Sapphire Reserve cardholders can unlock perks comparable to day by day breakfast for 2, room upgrades at choose properties (when accessible) and a particular profit value as much as $100 (distinctive to every property however typically features a lunch or dinner for 2, a spa remedy, golf inexperienced price waivers, a welcome present or airport transfers).
The Edit is not included with my Sapphire Most popular, so this will likely be an actual improve.
Plus, the Sapphire Reserve provides up to $500 annually (cut up into two up-to-$250 credit; have to be used on separate bookings) for prepaid The Edit bookings (of two nights or extra).
I have been eyeing aspirational properties, comparable to Raffles London at The OWO or Thompson Madrid.
Associated: Enjoy luxury perks at our favorite hotels that are part of The Edit by Chase Travel
StubHub credit
I completely love going to concert events, sports activities occasions and reside comedy reveals, so the Sapphire Reserve’s statement credits for StubHub and Viagogo purchases will likely be very straightforward for me to make use of up.
With the cardboard, I will obtain as much as $300 yearly (cut up into two up-to-$150 biannual credit; via Dec. 31, 2027).
The Sapphire Reserve gives a number of different credit, however these three are my favorites — and those I anticipate to make use of up with ease. Once you add all of them collectively, they quantity to $1,100 in annual worth — offsetting the cardboard’s $795 annual price by $305.
Associated: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Which is better for you?
Entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges
Ever since I received American Express Platinum Card®, I’ve develop into a real airport lounge fanatic.
Visiting the lounge has develop into one in every of my favourite components of any journey, and I’ve skilled severe FOMO as I move by the beautiful Chase Sapphire Lounges, since I do not get entry with my Sapphire Preferred.
Fortunately, once I add the Sapphire Reserve, I’ll have some extra lounges to take a look at:
Although the Precedence Cross Choose membership profit (enrollment required) I obtain with my Amex Platinum contains one go to to a Chase Sapphire Lounge per calendar 12 months, I’m trying ahead to expanded lounge entry on the whole with the Sapphire Reserve.
Associated: Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Higher redemptions with Factors Enhance
Whereas I have been accessing Points Boost via the Sapphire Preferred, I’ve lengthy been dreaming of unlocking the candy potential of up to 2 cents per point with the elevated Factors Enhance redemptions with the Sapphire Reserve.
The Sapphire Reserve unlocks:
- As much as 2 cents per level in worth on choose resort redemptions
- As much as 2 cents per level in worth on flight redemptions with choose airways
- 1 cent per level on different eligible purchases
In the meantime, my Sapphire Most popular at the moment permits:
- As much as 1.75 cents per level in worth on flight redemptions with choose airways
- As much as 1.5 cents per level in worth on choose resort redemptions
TPG senior director of content material Summer Hull has even stacked The Edit credit with the Sapphire Reserve’s Factors Enhance for impeccable worth, which is a technique I would love to duplicate in my very own upcoming travels.
Associated: I saved 100,000 points and $200 on a hotel stay with this 1 booking tweak
Finest-ever welcome bonus
The Sapphire Reserve is at the moment providing new cardholders 150,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Per TPG’s Might 2026 valuations, this bonus is value an estimated $3,075.
It is the very best bonus we have seen in the card’s history and could also be among the best welcome bonuses we have ever seen on a private card.
With this bonus, I may guide a number of nights at a stupendous, all-inclusive resort such because the Secrets Mirabel Cancun Resort & Spa by transferring to World of Hyatt. Or I may book round-trip Polaris business-class tickets to Europe by transferring to United MileagePlus.
With 14 transfer partners, there is a bevy of choices for me.
Associated: Why Hyatt continues to be my favorite Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner
Backside line
From StubHub credit to extra offers on Factors Enhance and premium lounges to bonus factors, there have been loads of causes for me to lastly apply for the Sapphire Reserve.
Understanding how a lot I’ve loved the Sapphire Most popular, going as much as the following tier of premium advantages with the Sapphire Reserve will add much more luxurious to my journey experiences.
The icing on the cake is that I will not have to surrender my beloved Sapphire Most popular, since I can now carry each playing cards — and earn the Sapphire Reserve’s unbelievable 150,000-point bonus.
To be taught extra, learn our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
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